Hi everyone, thanks so much for reading and leaving reviews. Your support is awesome, and can't thank you enough.

This chapter is mini, I'm sorry.

xXxXx

That Night.

Walking into her husbands suite, Clarisse stopped in her tracks at the sight before her. After several seconds she walked over and stood at the foot of the bed, placing her hands down on the bed frame as she watched their daughter stretching out in the space beside her daddy. And, after a moment she walked around and scooped her up in her arms.

Opening his eyes, Rupert watched as Clarisse turned to walk over to the door. "Clarisse?" He said softly.

Stopping, she turned back to him. "I will be back in a moment, I'm just going to return this little monkey back to her own bed." She smiled.

"Okay," He smiled in return, and watched as she disappeared out the door.

After placing Isabella back in her own bed, Clarisse returned to her husbands bedside. And after helping him with his medication she sat down in the chair beside the bed, reading to him as she had done every evening since he became ill.

But after a while, Rupert opened his eyes and looked at her as she read out loud. "Clarisse?" He said softly, watching as she looked up at him.

"What's the matter?" She asked, leaning forward and placed her hand down on his arm.

"I'm okay," He nodded "But are you?"

"Of course," She said, giving him a smile as she turned in her seat a little, moving to the edge of the chair.

"I get a feeling that you want to ask me something?" He asked, watching her.

"What gave you that idea?" She asked, shaking her head.

"Well you keep stopping to look at me, and hesitating with your words." He smiled.

"No no, I'm okay." She answered, rubbing his arm before sitting back "I'm okay." She nodded and looked down at the book. "Shall I continue reading now?" She asked, looking back up at him.

"You're wondering why I asked Joseph back here, aren't you?" He asked and watched as she looked back down at the book.

After a moment she looked back up at him and nodded "Actually yes, I am." She answered and moved to the edge of the seat once again. "Why? After everything."

"We have a lot of security, and all of them would die to protect you, which is what I want, of course. And when I am gone, I need someone to look after you, someone I trust one million percent." He said, looking at her.

"Rupert, please don't..." She said, shaking her head as he interrupted her.

"Listen, please?" He asked and watched as she nodded a moment later. "Thank you," He said, continuing "Now Joseph, he's different. When I sent for him, I honestly didn't think he would return, not after everything. But he did, he did it because he still loves you and would do anything for you. When we were talking, he told me that yes, he would take a bullet for you. I know that he will look after you, and our children... and," Stopping he looked back at her as she looked up at him.

"What is it?" Clarisse asked and watched as he took hold of her hand, kissing her palm.

Looking back at her, giving her hand a small squeeze, he continued. "I have given him my blessing..."

"Your blessing?" She asked, confused.

"He still loves you, Clarisse, and I know deep down that you love him too." Reaching up he cupped her cheek as tears filled her eyes. "He would do anything for you," Seeing her shaking her head, he stopped.

"I'm not listening to this... how could you tell me this, my heart belongs to you and always will." She said sadly as the tears escaped her eyes.

"And one day it will belong to him, I know it's hard for you to hear but Clarisse I don't want you to be alone, I want you to know I am okay with it."

"Rupert.. please stop."

"I just don't want you to be alone, that's all." Rupert said quietly.